Rating: 
Summary: A Brutal and Powerful Film (4.5 stars)
Review: "Bully" is as disturbing as a movie can get. It shakes you hard and once it gets its grasp on you, it never lets go until it's all said and done. It's also a movie that is guaranteed to stay in your head for days, no matter how hard you try to forget it. This is a chilling and powerful film, and one of the darkest movies I have seen this year so far.Based on a true story, "Bully" is about a guy named Marty, who is always getting beaten up and tormented by his best friend Bobby. Bobby's one nasty and mean character who does what he wants when he wants. He's been known to be sexually abusive towards women and unleashes his violent temper upon anyone who gets in his way. Not being able to take it anymore, Marty and his girlfriend decide maybe it's time that something should be done. They get together with a group of friends and decide they have to kill Bobby What seems to be a simple plan falls apart right before their eyes, and once the deed is done they can never go back to the way things were. This film is directed by the same man who did "Kids," Larry Clark. He does a superb job of orchestrating this brutally chilling force of a movie that knocks the air right out of your body. The cast and crew were also great. Every actor did their roles justice. Especially the man who plays Marty. As I was watching this, I kept asking to myself "This is a true story??" in complete disbelief. Be warned, this is a VERY uneasy film to watch. Not a second goes by in where there isn't something shocking going on. This is another one of those movies that isn't meant for everybody, but I still think it's an important film. Bullying is a very serious subject that plagues the world every day. This movie reveals the true ugliness of that and shows just how far some will go to stop it. The DVD doesn't have very much to offer, other than a couple of interviews, a music-only audio option, and a trailer. The picture and sound is really good, considering how low of a budget this movie was made on. "Bully" is a success in my eyes, as hard as it was to watch. "Kids" is also very disturbing as well, but on much more different level. Again, this isn't a movie that everybody is going to like. In fact, I'm willing to bet that many who have attempted this movie were forced to stop it and were unable to finish it. Be warned, this is a very uneasy movie to watch. The scary reality of it all is these types of things happen all the time...
Rating: 
Summary: Banal and Contrived
Review: This film is an abysmally banal attempt to tell what its filmmakers allege is a true story. The teens depicted in the film, and the actors who portray them, are so without emotion that the performances are forced and empty quite apart from the story they are forced to tell. The character of Marty, acting as a seeming martyr, is without substance or foundation and gives one whiplash as his passivity turns to self-righteous outrage. His feelings of thoughtful and tolerable friendship with Bobby turn to one of hatred and contempt so quickly and without a believable footing that this shift is deemed meaningless. Lisa as Marty's savior and guardian uses him to justify her own apparent rage toward Bully Bobby following his rape of her friend and as a result approaches the same level of dominance over Marty as practiced by the film's title character. The filmmakers' attempt to tell what they call a "true" story is done so in the most inconceivable, trite, and clichéd way despite the violent and tragic events upon which it is alleged to be based. It as well loses the circumstances and events of that story amidst melodramatic story telling and "artistic" license that turns it message into an insulting attempt to add contrived drama to an otherwise powerful tragedy. At any rate that story it tells is unrecognizable. The filmmaker's refusal to explore the foundation of the characters' personalities and circumstances upon which their actions are based doesn't allow one to care much at all about their troubles or imposed plight. The film's attempt to shock and disturb its audience buries the story it strains to tell. How the director's critical success with "Kids" led to this drivel is beyond me. Renters of the film may wish to take a chance, but buyers should be aware.
Rating: 
Summary: A shocking & necessary look at today's generation of teens!
Review: Don't be fooled by the explicit sex scenes. This is not a happy, feel-good movie. Put aside your inhibitions, and watch it in its entirety. You will see that it shows the tragic downfall of young people coming-of-age who are raised on a lethal combination of broken homes, promiscuous sex, substance abuse, non-involved parents, low morals, criminality (the murder),and a society that encourages their soulless self-centeredness.
What struck me more that the behavior of the special-ed social circle, was how uninvolved their parents seemed to be. Bobby has an agression complex, probably incurred by his demanding father. Marty's parents are oblivious to the fact that he's suffering, even as he nervously sits at the breakfast table with a black eye. Ali's parents seem to treat her with routine neglect, similar to the way she treats her own baby. Lisa's mother isn't much better. She wants to hurt Marty for bruising Lisa's wrists, but overall she keeps Lisa out of her sight. Prior to murdering Bobby, she chides the group for their aimlessness, but doesn't do anything to point them in the right direction.
Then, once the group is on trial for murdering Bobby (the end result of their lack of morality), their parents all wondered how this happened.
Parents need to be in tune with this generation, and should realize that their children's low morality is a reflection of their own. If they see something not right with their kids, a good idea would be for them to do a check-up on the home environment first, and see to it that optimal conditions are met for their kids. Otherwise, they will succumb to various types of self-destruction.
Rating:
Summary: Reasons 45-1023 NOT to have kids
Review: So maybe I'm exaggerating. But this true to life story of revenge is very disturbing. It highlights the kid's thought processes and therein lies the plot of the movie: These kids are too stupid to successfully carry this murder in a clandestine manner. Their hilarious conversations clue you in to the level of their intelligence (or lack thereof). The acting performances are quite good and fortunately, this movie does not glamorize the murder - given the fact that the kids seem to be having fun throughout the movie. Even the drug use has its mild consequences (Donnie) for one of the characters. I would recommend this movie to most parents, if only to show to their kids to discourage this kind of behavior.
Rating:
Summary: Very Disturbing But Compelling...
Review: A few years ago, I came acroos this book in the local library. I remember reading it and can remember that the impact it had on my psyche. The story has stayed in the back of my mind for several years. While suffering a regular bout of insomnia, I was flipping through the movie channels on cable late one night and I came across the movie "Bully." I read the synopsis and instantly turned to it, remembering the story I read years before. On some level I felt bad for Marty. Friends with Bobby since they were young, Marty was always abused by Bobby in some way, both physically and emotionally. Marty was afraid to stand up to Bobby, who would one minute punch him in the face and the next minute tell Marty, "You know you're my best friend, right?" Once Bobby and Marty meet Lisa and Ali, the story takes a turn. Lisa loves Marty and can't help but be upset and angered by Bobby's abuse of Marty. Bobby also takes out some of his agression by raping both Lisa and Ali. Lisa comes up with the notion that they could very possibly kill Bobby and get away with it. At first, Marty thinks she is joking, then his attitude turns to reluctantance, then to agreeing with her. All they need is the perfect plan and the proper weapons. They enlist the help of Ali, their stoner friend Donny, their friend Heather who is fresh out of rehab again, Lisa's cousin Derek and a supposed "mafia hitman." The actual murder scene in the movie is horribly disturbing and is pretty much the way I remember it in the book. Although throughout the movie, one might side with Marty and Lisa, that Bobby is just an all-around jerk who deserves to die, the actual murder scene finds Bobby begging Marty for his life as he stabs him in the chest and you can't help but think that Bobby did not deserve this. It is so sad that this is a very true story and that these kids growing up in Florida really thought that this was the answer and that they would get away with it. They thought no one would be looking for Bobby, who had a promising future to look forward to, opening a window tinting and stereo shop with his Dad. They thought leaving Bobby's body in the canal would be the right thing to do because then the alligators would come and feast on him... Now, while these kids sit in jail - the majority of them for the rest of their lives, I can only think that their thoughts about what they did fills them with sorrow and regret. Unfotunately for them, doing the absolute wrong thing would change their lives forever in an instant. I think the movie is directed quite well and it really is a good movie to see. I agree with another review that some of the nudity in the film is not called for and is really not necessary. I will warn you that again, this movie is quite disturbing and chances are, this movie will stay on your mind for a long time.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A CINEMATIC WORK OF ART INTO FILMMAKING!!
Review: As horrendous as this movie may be, it still is based on a real-life event that took place. I am quite sure that multiple viewers found this film to be most disturbing in every aspect. Every so often you might hear on the news, on the radio, or from another individual that someone was killed or murdered. It could be anybody. Some may think about that, some may talk about it, and some might not even care. In any event, you (most of the time) do not want to witness how it happened. This film is just the opposite. All around the United States, numerous crimes similar to the one included in this film happen everyday involving teenagers. (especially in big cities) Most of everybody will be used to hearing about analogous actions that occur everywhere. However, how would you feel if you visually observed what really happened? Think about that. What I was most impressed about this film is how unforeseeably real it appeared. Following my initial viewing of the film, I asked myself one question, "Is this a major motion picture or a community shot home video?" This critically acclaimed motion picture features a superb cast (IN OSCAR-CALIBER PERFORMANCES) that get the chance to widely express their talents on the big screen. Marty Puccio (Brad Renfro) is a troubled teenager that gets constantly beat up by his so-called best friend, Bobby Kent (portrayed by Nick Stahl). It's this that Marty continuously reaches his breaking point. Most audiences feel sympathy towards Marty and just want something to be done to Bobby. Ever since Marty was little, Bobby has been an appalling influence to Marty. That, of which is the probable reason why Marty turned out so badly. Marty's girlfriend, Lisa (Rachel Miner) along with her friend, Ali (Bijou Phillips) experience how horrific Bobby is (or in Lisa's words, "Bobby is everybody's problem.") Them, along with three other teenagers (WHO PERSONALLY DID NOT EVEN KNOW BOBBY) are peer-pressured into taking hand to a crime that ultimately stumbled America. Finally, another aspect of this film that I did enjoy is the music. Truthfully, I am not a big fan of rap music, but in this particular case I think I will make an exception. Each scene is well-developed more as the music plays. It sets the mood brilliantly. For anyone that's interested, go out and buy the soundtrack. As I have mentioned before, the realism is extremely strong and you will not believe your eyes after your first viewing of the film. However, THIS FILM IS NOT FOR EVERYONE and certainly not for children. But, if you are the type that loves suspenseful cinema, hey, take a risk and give this movie a chance. I guarantee that you WILL NOT regret it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent portrayal of empty, soul-less teens.
Review: I'm the most conservative guy on the planet so you would think my reaction to this movie that is chocked full of disturbing sex would irk me. But that is far from the truth. This film excellently portrays the emptyness of these teens lives and the sex scenes were very necessary to show that. It is a natural step for them to so cavalierly plan an excute a murder and they're reaction even as they're about to begin the trial for that murder leaves the audience aghast in their absolute emptiness. It was not untill the film was over that I realized how important the sex scenes in this movie are. They are by no means exploitive since they are critical to paint the despair and absolute emptyness in these kids. Unlike movies "American Pie" and "Porkys" where the sex is inserted as icing on the cake, "Bully" actually uses teen sex to show how truly empty, shallow and feelingless it really is. The MTVs of the world love to paint a happy picture of teen sex. Thankfully "Bully" has come along to paint a realistic view of how that generation, and their actions so encouraged by the media today, have robbed the souls of kids today.
Rating:
Summary: very good movie
Review: I thought that this was a very good movie. i just seen it. the actors and actresses were very good. i thought that the plot was good, it had me wondering what was gonna happen next. i didnt like all the sex but i still think that it was a excellent movie, 10 times better than KIDS. i give it 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Artless, exploitive, barely cinematic.
Review: I watched this movie expecting little more than loads of sex, violence, and disaffected yet photogenic young people doing "gritty" things. Yet, I still wasn't prepared for not only the sheer quantity of all three, but the artless, formless execution of the story. I cannot say that I enjoyed Bully even on an immediate shocking level. The images of teenage debauchery became repetitive and soundly prove that singlularly exploitive material can never substantiate 2 and a half hours of movie viewing. Every character is vulgar and unappealing. Marty is a boorish, mean young man who beats his girlfriend when he finds out she's pregnant. Rachel Miner's character is a loose cannon who purposefully tries to get pregnant just for the attention. Ali meanwhile is a vapid airhead who has sex with a man who previously rapes her...I felt more for Bobby, the title character and "bully" and guy we're supposed to instinctively hate than the other more protoganistic characters. I think it has something to do with Nick Stahl's natural charisma, even while playing a despicable character, and the fact that Bobby is the only character with a sense of ambition. Interminable. Repetitive. Boring. Skip at all costs.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie, weird but Great.
Review: I have to tell you it's not what I was expecting. Great acting, important when watching a film, good plot, weird but well written. I tell you I have seen "Kids" and I thought this was better. It is a must see movie. I don't want to give it away, but the twist and turns are pretty interesting. I was on the edge of my chair a couple of times. Just when you think the film is heading one-way bam, it takes off in another. Unplug the phone and take care of your personal business before you sit down. A couple of familiar faces help make this movie really come to life. Good Film.
| 
